Week 6: Sit 'Em

These usually solid players are not worth starting this week due to match-up, injury, or other circumstances This week's picks include Jay Cutler, Eli Manning, Jerome Harrison, Willis McGahee, and Hines Ward.

Week 5 Recap: Those skeptics of last week's report should be aware that some of these guys were potential only options given bye weeks, and that a few of them despite my negative projection, were viable. Ward did play, although not well and with limited action he still busted out a long run and was the leading runner besides QB Johnson. Fasano would have made a nice plug-in at TE and Miller was Oakland's leading receiver. I invite you this week to read this column, absorb what is projected and then respond appropriately on the comments, posting if you feel that you must.

Jay Cutler and the Chicago offense are anticipated at having a solid outing versus Atlanta this week, but I have doubts of Cutler's performance. Atlanta will be coming into this game to beat the Chicago defense on both the ground with Turner and through the air with Ryan, White and Gonzalez. Cutler's attempts are starting to decrease with the surge of Forte's running game. Forte struggled at the beginning of the season, but seems to have now found his stride. Look for Chicago's offense to try to push their running game again this week. If Forte is successful at eating away at the clock, then Cutler's passing attempts will be limited in order to keep Atlanta's offense on the sidelines. Cutler is a tough sit, but if you have another option at least entertain it.

Don't get me wrong, it is hard to bench Manning when he has been playing well, but this week versus New Orleans I see decreased production. Opponents have produced solid passing numbers against New Orleans, but New York's running backs will test this defense and try to eat up the clock in order to keep Brees and his high-powered offense off the field as much as possible. If the New York defense does their job and keeps the game in check scoring-wise, New York will simply focus on the win and nothing extravagant, which means a less pass-happy offense.

Jamal Lewis has re-emerged as the power back in Cleveland. This means that Harrison will be regulated to back-up duty. Neither of these backs are solid starts this week versus Pittsburgh, but until Lewis is further nagged by injury or slows in production, Harrison should be riding the pine. Harrison's production is now on the down slope and there are better options available.

McGahee had a solid first three games of the season, but the emergence of Ray Rice as a powerful and speedy back means that McGahee's workload is decreasing. We saw this in Weeks 4 and 5 when he only amassed 9 rushing yards and 2 receptions. In each of his first three starts he had two TDs per game. I would hesitate to start McGahee this week versus Minnesota's rush defense as I see the bulk of carries going to Rice, and also an emphasis on the air attack with Flacco throwing well to Mason and Heap with solid pass protection.

Hines Ward is also a tough player to sit, but a few hints at this week's match-up versus Cleveland tell me that the Pittsburgh air attack will be spread around. Ward will be competing for targets with Holmes, Wallace, Miller and likely Moore out of the backfield and Cleveland's run defense has been poor. Mendenhall with possibly Parker's support will likely tear this defense to shreds. The passing game for Pittsburgh will be secondary. I foresee Miller being targeted in the red zone as Cleveland has not faced any tough tight ends this season and Miller fits that bill. Look for Ward's production to be lower than normal.